Cricket Australia launches Cricket Gold on Samsung TV Plus
Cricket Australia has joined the ranks of sporting bodies embracing the digital age by introducing its dedicated FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel, Cricket Gold, now available on Samsung TV Plus.
In recent years, sporting bodies have increasingly recognised the immense commercial potential of their content. Major Australian broadcasters currently shell out over $1 billion annually for live broadcast rights, spanning the gamut of sports, from AFL and NRL to cricket and tennis.
Amid ongoing debates about anti-siphoning regulations, subscription streaming services have been eager to contend for the broadcasting rights of significant sporting events. Samsung TV Plus has witnessed a surge in interest from sporting organisations looking to capitalise on their existing content – a treasure trove of game highlights, player stories, archive footage and docuseries – as they seek to engage a broader fan base.
Cricket Gold steps into the spotlight by offering a rich repository of archive footage, including classic matches and curated programming. This move follows in the footsteps of other sporting bodies like FIFA+ and the PGA TOUR, which launched their own dedicated channels on Samsung TV Plus earlier this year.
Ed Love, Head of Business Development and Content Acquisitions at Samsung TV Plus, underscored the appeal of FAST for sporting bodies.
“Many sporting bodies are sitting on a treasure trove of untapped potential – and FAST is the perfect environment to reach new audiences and re-monetise content,” Love said.
“FAST gives fans access to great programming around the game and a way to relive the best sporting moments, all for free.”
Alex Spurzem, Managing Director of Samsung Ads ANZ & SEA, backed Love’s comments: “Our growing number of sporting channels is changing the face of FAST and offering sporting bodies and advertisers a new avenue to reach and engage with sports audiences.”
Richard Ostroff, Head of Broadcast and Production at Cricket Australia, elaborated on the significance of Cricket Gold on Samsung TV Plus.
“Cricket Gold on Samsung TV Plus will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase our archive on a platform that has a growing reach in established and new cricket markets. Our video archives provide a rich source of Australian Cricket history,” Ostroff said.
“We’ve invested heavily over the past few years digitising and cataloguing these precious assets so they can be made available to cricket fans around the world in the best possible condition.
“Access to our video archives for cricket fans will continue to expand as we look to enhance access for fans and celebrate cricket’s unique heritage.”
Cricket Gold on Samsung TV Plus represents a bold move toward leveraging the vast content resources held by sporting bodies, transforming the way fans engage with the sport and providing a platform to celebrate its rich history. The launch of Cricket Gold is a testament to the enduring appeal of cricket and its enduring legacy.
